# NTSB FTW66A0056: Bell 47J-2, N73902, Refugio, TX, December 9, 1965

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: December 9, 1965
- Place: Refugio, TX · REFUGIO, TX
- Location: 28.3074° N, 97.2750° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Refugio, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.3074&lon=-97.2750&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 21, 1966
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 174995
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW66A0056
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW66A0056

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-1005   65/12/9   REFUGIO TEX         BELL 47J-2          CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 34, 1500
        TIME - 1445                    N73902              PX-  0  0  1  OTHER                     TOTAL HOURS, 900 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           PROPELLER/ROTOR FAILURE: TAIL ROTOR                      IN FLIGHT: OTHER
           HARD LANDING                                             LANDING: POWER-OFF AUTOROTATIVE LANDING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
          ROTORCFT-IMPROPERLY ASSEMBLED PINION SHAFT & GEAR
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FATIGUE FRACTURE
           ROTORCRAFT - TRANSMISSION ROTOR DRIVE SYSTEM: TAIL ROTOR DRIVE SHAFT ASSEMBLY
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: IMPROPER MAINTENANCE (MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL)
        FACTOR(S)
           PERSONNEL - PRODUCTION-DESIGN-PERSONNEL: SUBSTANDARD QUALITY CONTROL
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
                                  DIRECTIONAL CONTROL PROBLEM
                                  SUSPECTED MECHANICAL DISCREPANCY
        REMARKS- FATIGUE FAILURE,T/R PINION SHAFT.HERDING CATTLE.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N73902](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N73902-2012-07-09), registration cancelled 2012-07-09, S/N 1872, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47J-2
- Registry model: [Bell 47J-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47j-2) (registry code 1181104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-540-series) (registry code 41534, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## Other investigations on N73902 (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB UNK64X2221](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X2221), Jun 10, 1964: Bell 47J2 (N73902), Refugio, TX, substantial damage

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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